4.4 Enclosed Compartments within the Hull and below the Freeboard Deck provided with Access through Openings in the Hull

  4.4.1 Compartment(s) below the freeboard deck, provided for recreational purposes, oil fuelling/fresh water reception or other purposes to do with the business of the vessel and having access openings in the hull, should be bounded by watertight divisions without any opening (i.e. doors, manholes, ventilation ducts or any other opening) separating the compartment(s) from any other compartment below the freeboard deck, unless provided with sliding watertight doors complying with 4.3.1, or for vessels under 500GT, hinged doors complying with 4.4.2.

  4.4.2 For vessels under 500GT, openings from any other compartment below the freeboard deck may be fitted with hinged watertight doors provided:

• .1 after flooding through the shell opening of the space containing the shell opening, the resultant waterline is below the sills of the internal openings in that space; or

• .2

  • a. bilge alarms are fitted in the compartment containing the shell opening, with a visual and audible warning on the bridge; and

  • b. any hinged door opens into the compartment containing the shell opening; and

  • c. "open" door alarms, both visual and audible fitted on the bridge; and

  • d. the door is to be fitted with a single closing mechanism; and

  • e. sill height of the internal door should be higher above the deepest loaded waterline than the sill height of the shell opening.

  4.4.3 Openings in the hull should comply with SOLAS regulation II-1/15-1 - External openings in cargo ships. Provision should be made to ensure that doors may be manually closed and locked in the event of power or hydraulic failure. Openings are generally to be fitted with a sill not less than 600mm above the Design Waterline.

  4.4.3.1 Openings in the hull with a sill height below, or less than 600mm above the Design Waterline may be specially considered by the Administration. This consideration may include but is not limited to:

• .1 doors from the space providing internal access are to have a sill height at least 600mm above the Design Waterline;

• .2 the effect of flooding on stability is considered;

• .3 operational controls and limitations on when and where opening may be used.